MANAGEMENT by Susan Michel Mind your worth: The real cost of carrying it all As entrepreneurs, we wear our work ethic like a badge of honor. We are the problem-solvers, the decision-makers, the ones everyone turns to when things get hard. And most of the time, we wouldn’t have it any other way. But there’s a hidden cost to always being the person with the answers: one that shows up not just in our health, but in our finances. The price of doing it all Burnout isn’t just exhaustion. It’s a slow erosion of the very qualities that made us successful in the first place, things such as our creativity, our focus, and our drive. Research shows that 44% of workers experience burnout, and those who do are three times more likely to be actively looking for a way out. For business owners, that “way out” doesn’t look like a resignation letter. It looks like missed opportunities, poor decisions made under pressure, and a team that mirrors our own disengagement. The financial impact is real and often underestimated. One McKinsey study found that disengagement and attrition could cost a median-size S&P 500 company between $228 million and $355 million a year in lost productivity, totaling more than $1 billion in lost value per company over five years. When we burn out or allow burnout to take hold in our organizations, we are quite literally leaving money on the table. Why we struggle to say no Many of us became entrepreneurs because we are natural problem-solvers. It feels good to have the answer. It feels responsible to say yes. But constantly absorbing the problems of others (whether that’s an employee, a client, or even a family member) has a compounding effect. We push our own priorities aside. The big decisions that require our clearest thinking get deferred. And before long, we’re running on empty while trying to run a business. The most dangerous version of this pattern is the one we can’t see: the subtle creep of doing too much for too long, until “this is just how it is” becomes our new normal. Protecting your peace is a business decision Building boundaries isn’t about pulling back from the people who need you. Think of them less as walls and more as bridges. The most effective leaders I know are also the most intentional about where their energy goes. A few practices that make a real difference: ■ Pause before you commit. Before taking on a new responsibility, check in honestly with yourself. Do you have the bandwidth? Is this the best use of your time right now? A brief pause today prevents a much bigger problem tomorrow. ■ Trust your team. Micromanaging every detail doesn’t just exhaust you; it signals to your team that you don’t believe in them. When you delegate with intention and give people room to solve problems, you build a stronger organization and free yourself for the work only you can do. ■ Build your network before you need it. A strong network isn’t just a business development tool; it’s a support system. The entrepreneurs who navigate challenges most gracefully are the ones who have cultivated relationships they can lean on, learn from, and share the load with. What this has to do with your financial future Here’s where this conversation intersects directly with your wealth: burnout clouds judgment. And when our judgment is compromised, so are financial decisions, such as when to invest, when to scale, when to take money out of the business, and when to plan for what comes next. We talk a lot about compound interest and long-term planning, but the same principle applies to our energy. The choices we make today about how we spend ourselves (our time, our focus, our emotional reserves) compound over time just as surely as our savings do. Protecting your well-being isn’t a luxury. It’s one of the most financially sound decisions you can make. A final thought The goal was never just to build a business. It was to build a life. When we lose sight of that, no balance sheet can make up the difference. So, take the pause. Ask for help. Say no when you need to. The version of you who does those things consistently? She’s the one who builds something that truly lasts. SUSAN MICHEL is the founder and CEO of Glen Eagle Advisors, LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor located in New Jersey. Offering retirement planning and wealth management, the Glen Eagle team takes an educational, holistic approach to helping clients meet their long-term goals. Susan is a member of the Enterprising Women Advisory Board and a past recipient of the Enterprising Women of the Year Award. She was named an Enterprising Women “Top 20 in 2020” Award Winner. enterprising Women 21
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